1953 Chrysler Cars Fact Sheet

Chrysler
“Downsizes”

 

In a “downsizing” move, all Chryslers now sat on the old Saratoga/Windsor wheelbase of 125.5 inches. The only long wheelbase car remaining was the 139.5-inch wheelbase model that was used for the 8-passenger sedans that were now labeled as a Windsor and a New Yorker.

 

General Year Information

In a downsizing switch, all Chryslers sat on the old Saratoga/Windsor wheelbase of 125.5 inches. The only long wheelbase car remaining was the 139.5-inch wheelbase model that was used for the 8-passenger sedans  that were now labeled as Windsor and New Yorker. The New Yorker limousine replaced the Saratoga nameplate in this model.

Most sheet metal panels were carried forward on all models, continuing the styling of 1951-1952. However, in reacting to the critics of the brand’s stodgy styling, two major changes were made. One was to redesign the roof line with more rearward slope. The second was to add a one-piece curved windshield – the first since the Chrysler Airflow of 1934-1937.

Minor revisions were made to the tail lamps and the grille. Parking lamps were located on a separate pod below the headlamps and between the upper and lower wraparound grille bars. Chrysler added a third grille bar to the New Yorker which encompassed the parking lamps. The Club Coupe now became more sedan-like in style. All station wagons and eight-passenger cars continued to use the 1951-1952 Windsor rear fenders including trim and tail lamps. The gas filler was now located below the deck lid on the left side, except on those models using the earlier style fenders.

Big news was the introduction of the Powerflite fully automatic two-speed transmission that debuted late in the model year, in June 1953, replacing Fluid Drive. It was so popular over 35.000 were installed in Chryslers by the end of the model year.  Air conditioning and chromed wire wheels made their appearance as new options.

The 1953 Chrysler line was introduced in dealer showrooms on October 30, 1952. Prices on most Chrysler models were lowered between $27-$274 on March 25, 1953 , depending on the model.

Models Offered

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WINDSOR SERIES 60-1: The Windsor remained the low-price Chrysler offering. It still offered the Club Coupe, the 4-door Sedan, the Town & Country wagon and the 8 passenger 4-door sedan. Chrysler doggedly stuck to the lowly 119 HP L-Head six-cylinder power plant for these cars, a serious miscalculation.

WINDSOR DELUXE SERIES C60-2: The Windsor DeLuxe, the upgraded version of the base Windsor, featured only three body styles: 4-door sedan, Convertible and the Newport Hardtop.

Styling was identical to the base Windsor series, with only upgraded interior finish as a distinction. “Windsor DeLuxe” appeared on the fenders to denote the model. Windsor rear fender stone shields were noted for their stylized horizontal bumps. Rear tail lamps used an integrated backup lens with the upper red lens divided vertically.

NEW YORKER SERIES C56-1: The Saratoga nameplate was replaced by the  “New Yorker” moniker, and this was was found on the front fenders. In this third year of the Hemi V-8, it was continued with the same configuration of 331 CID and 180 horsepower. Major styling changes paralleled the Windsor changes, although there were grille and rear fender splash shield differences.

The “V” insignia was affixed to the hood and rear deck lid and denoted the Hemi-engine power plant. The eight-passenger and Town & Country wagons used the 1951-1952 style rear fenders and trim. A popular option was two-tone paint.

NEW YORKER DELUXE SERIES C56-2: The top-of-the-line Chrysler was now the New Yorker DeLuxe. The DeLuxe offered an additional body style over the base New Yorker, the convertible coupe. Deleted from this model was the eight-passenger sedan and Town & Country station wagon. 

The upholstery was notably upgraded. Nameplates were located on the front fender above the wheelhouse opening. Powerflite became standard equipment late in the model year, replacing the Fluid Drive/Fluid-Torque Drive transmissions. New Yorker DeLuxe series cars were now also built in the Los Angeles facility.   

Engines

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Windsor and Windsor DeLuxe Series Engine. L-head six-cylinder. Cast iron block. 264.5 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.438 x 4.75 inches. Compression ratio: 7.0:1. Horsepower: 119 @ 3600 RPM. Torque: 218 ft. lbs. @ 1600 RPM. Camshaft Duration: Intake 236°, Exhaust 236°, Overlap Unk°, Lift (Intake) 0.375″ (Exhaust) 0.375″. Five main bearings. Carburetors: – Standard shift – Ball and Ball Model Ball and BallEX1R or EX2R; Fluid Drive M-6 transmission – B-B E9A1 Carter or Stromberg 380349.

New Yorker Series Engine. V-8 overhead valve, Hemispherical Combustion Chambers. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 331.1 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.81″ x 3.63″. Horsepower: 180 @ 4000 RPM. Torque: 312 ft. lbs. @ 2000 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 252°, Exhaust 244°, Overlap Unk°, Lift (Intake) 0.375″ (Exhaust) 0.362″.  Compression ratio: 7.5:1. Carburetors: Carter WCD 9315, 931SA, 931SB, or 931CS.

Chassis Features

    • Wheelbase: Windsor and New Yorker long wheelbase models – 139.5″ All Others – 125.5″.
    • Overall length: Long wheelbase cars: 222.1″ All Others: 211.0″.
    • Front tread: All except Limousine: 57.25″,
    • Rear tread: All except Limousine: 58.282″, Limousine 66.0″.
    • Overall width: All except Limousine: 75.125″ Limousine: 80.875″.
    • Tires: Long wheelbase cars – 8.20 x 15, Short wheelbase cars – All Windsors 7.60 x 15, All New Yorkers 8.00 x 15. Windsor, Windsor DeLuxe 7.60 x 15, Windsor, Windsor DeLuxe, long wheelbase cars and Station Wagon: 8.20 x 15,  New Yorker: 8.20 x 15. White walls available at extra cost.

Power Train Options

    • Windsor: Three-speed manual transmission standard with Fluid Drive optional.
    • Windsor DeLuxe, New Yorker and New Yorker DeLuxe: Fluid Drive hydraulically operated M-6 transmission standard.

NOTE: June 1953 – Powerflite 2-speed automatic transmission replaced the Fluid Drive semi-automatic transmission.

Body Paint Color Codes

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1953 Chrysler

  5 Arctic Blue
  6 Erie Blue
  7 Niagara Blue
  8 Columbia Blue
  9 Potomac Blue
  20 Vermont Green
  21 Foliage Green
  22 Everglades Green
  35 Pearl Gray
  37 Submarine Gray
  45 Caravan Beige
  46 Cinnamon
  47 Cocoa Brown
  60 Hollywood Maroon
  61 Pimento Red
  65 Casino Cream

 

 

Significant Options

    • Electric windows lifts.
    • Air conditioning.
    • Exhaust deflector.
    • Fluid-Torque Drive.
    • Fog lamps.
    • Locking gas cap.
    • Outside Rear view mirror (both sides available).
    • Power brakes.
    • Power steering.
    • Power windows.
    • Powerflite Automatic Transmission (beginning June 1953).
    • Solex glass.
    • Spare tire valve extension.
    • Sun visor.
    • Two-tone paint.
    • Windshield washer.
    • Wire wheels.

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